Uniquely Lucknow

Every one loves the city they are born and brought up in, and it is more than true for me. It has inspired the title for the blog as well. One of the many things I love is Ganjing. For those of you who just got confused, Hazratganj is the main market in Lucknow. Situated in the heart of Lucknow offering buyers of all classes something to take away and flaunt it as "Ganj" buy. Yes, Ganj is the pet name for it, and even though I have heard the name ganjing since childhood, I never quite understood the phoenomenon.

I remember it was in my college days that we started to hang out at Barista, going through Love Lane. I didn't even realise that we were Ganjing until my mom asked me where I was going, and when I answered, she said, "Oh, Ganjing!" I could only manage a smile as I was going to meet a girl friend, and although it was nothing special, but still I had the guilty look on my face.

I still remember hogging paani batashas in a dozen flavours at Love lane. The name Love Lane also has an interesting story behind it. Apparantely, it was the hot spot for a generation gone by as well. There was this norm that girls would walk on one side of the lane and the guys on the other. No comments were passed or any misbehaviour, just a quite glance. If you wanted to meet someone, you waited for her to come around and maybe talked to her. I can't imagine a better social setup even today. But it won't work anymore today. Even though I am still skeptical of the reality behind it, it is still a wonderful idea.

Then there is Janpath, the vibrant part of Ganj. A walk alone gives you an idea of the latest fashion trends and accessories in town. Although it is one of the most expensive places to shop, it does have some of the cheap places as well. You can get used novels and books at a discounted price. The eatery on top of the basement is a good place to hangout as well but I can't say the same about its food. For the food, you need to head to Royal Cafe Moti Mahal. Royal cafe chaat corner is quite famous and I have had friends and relatives asking for its famous basket chaat. We used to go to Modern Book Stall to fetch ET for dad. It is still the place I head for cards and magazines.

Universal book sellers has something to offer everyone. I remember how we used to get all excited about our new school books just so we could go there and shop for them. Didi used to bring us along to get her novels at Janpath and the addition ice cream treat at Chedilal.

At the other end of the strip is Halwasia. We'd shop for uniforms there at Malik uncles' shop. Even today you get some great T-shirts at the shops there.

Today, I go to Ganj to shop only, to Janpath for a gift, and to Halwasia for a visit to the bank. We still do hang out at Barista though. The coffee is still the same but the faces that make it have changed. While walking down Love lane today, I saw the same old faces, trying to sell the same "New" stuff. The shoppers have changed. It was like the people were not from Lucknow. I remember not a single visit to Ganj went by when we didn't see someone we knew. Even my friend from school who runs a shop in Janpath was not at the shop. I felt so scared, change always is, but it is also necessary.

It was ineviteable I guess; Lucknow is moving towards the mall culture. But I know this as well, for anyone who has grown up in Lucknow, ganjing is something uniquely Lucknow and will remain so for the time to come.